The Mystery of Salvation - Ephesians 3

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The Mystery of Salvation

(Ephesians 3:1-10)

 

Introduction:

I believe it is important that we appreciate that the Lord said yes to the cross

And died for our sins.

I believe it is also important that we appreciate that He did not die just so our sins would be forgiven.

The Lord also died so that we might enjoy a type of relationship with God

That is of the highest order. 

A type of relationship that is different than any other relationship that the Lord

Has with any other order of creation.

And the reason it is important that we understand the kind of relationship

That the Lord has desired to have with us, is because we have to prove something.

Point:

This morning there are some very important people here.

(Reference) – Some people like to go places based on whose going to be there.

Well, this morning there are some very important people here.

And some of the people here you won’t be able to see, but they are here.

For those of you who are members of the Lord’s church

(Another good reason to be here) – You have to prove something this morning

To some people that are here, that you may not be able to see.

Read: Ephesians 3:1-10 (verse 10 is the focus)

Body:

There are some people that need to understand the manifold wisdom of God.

There are some beings that need to appreciate the multifaceted wisdom of God.

And the wisdom of God needs to be made known to creation (visible/invisible)

So, when Paul uses the terms, rulers & authorities (principalities & powers)

That he is not referencing earthly beings / some form of earthly government

But rather he is referring to two ranks of angels

After all, he says, to the “rulers & authories” in the heavenly places.

These are ranks of angels.  And the bible has a lot to say about angels

In fact, angels play a very important role in the events that occur in our lives.

We know a lot about angels.  We even know some of the names of some angels.

Point:

(Reference) – Luke 1:11-20 / The angel Gabriel (I stand in the presence of God)

(Zacharias was conducting his priestly duties and the angel appeared to him)

(Reference) – Daniel 10:13-20 / The archangel Michael (captain of the host)

(Warring with the prince of Persia (demon)) / prince of Greece (demon)

There are ranks of angels:

Angels

Archangels

Seraphim

Cherubim

Thrones

Dominions

Principalities

Powers

Virtues

Illustration: Cherub angels (death angel / God’s retribution / God’s enforcers)

(Reference) – The Law of God / Cherub angels / Mercy Seat

Point:

So, before we can appreciate Ephesians 3:10, we need to know something about angels, and what they are about and the ministry that they have.

Now, in order to do that, I want to look at:

Colossians 1:14

I Peter 1:

Hebrews 1:

Then, I will help you appreciate what Paul means when he says what he says

In Ephesians 3:10.

See, you are not ready to look at Ephesians 3:10 until you first appreciate that he is talking about angels.

Read:  Colossians 1:14-16

(There is a creation that was in heaven and one on the earth)

(There was a creation before God created the earth)

 

Point:

The angelic creation (angels) existed before God formed the things of the earth.

(Reference) – Job 1,2,3

(…there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came with them)

Point:

(sons of God) – are angels

(Reference) – Job 38:7-8

“Where were you when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy, when I closed up the sea with doors…”

The morning stars and sons of God are angels

And they shouted for joy when they saw the created work of God.

Read: Colossians 1:16 (invisible creation)

And whenever you read about (thrones, dominions, principalities, powers)

You are reading about the invisible creation (angelic beings)

So, rulers & authorities (principalities & powers) are beings in the spiritual realm

Point:

Now, there are some things that angels wanted to understand

And one of the things that they wanted to understand is salvation.

Point:

See, Jesus did not die for angels. 

Angels that sin cannot repent and come back to God.

The angels that sinned are reserved in chains of darkness; waiting on the judgment.

Point:  Hell was not even created for you and me

Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41)

And angels could not understand the concept of salvation.

God, how are You going to save man, who is lower than the angels

(Angels) – You want save angels, but You desire to save man

Angels wanted to understand this.

 

 

 

 

Read: I Peter 1:9-11

One of the things that angels could not understand

Is how God would suffer through the person of Jesus Christ

To bring about salvation to sinful man. /

THAT’S THE MYSTERY OF SALVATION

Read: I Peter 1:12

Angels wanted to understand how Christ could suffer and salvation

Could be extended to mortal man.

Point:

In fact, angels have a ministry.

Read: Hebrews 1:13-14 (They are to minister to those who inherit salvation)

Their ministry is to minister to those of us who are heirs of salvation.

Those of us who members of the Body of Christ of heirs of salvation

And God has legions of angels who ministry is to minister to us who are chosen.

And the angels wanted to understand that.

(Reference) – “For we know that the angels are rejoicing…”

Angels are watching.  And since they are not omnipresent

In order for them to see, they have to be here.

And when you do right, angels rejoice!!!

Angels are sent to minister to those who are heirs to salvation.

Point:

Having understand that, let’s make this one point in Ephesians 3:10

Read: Ephesians 3:10 (We don’t even war against flesh and blood)

(Reference) – II Kings 6:8-17 (Those who are with us are more than with them…)

Thought: Sometimes the devil will send a whole army after God’s man

(To entrap God’s man.  Take away his influence)

(The fight is not ours, It’s the Lord’s) / Resist the devil, God will provide the way

Explain: Those who are with us…

Conclusion:

Read: Ephesians 3:10

God’s wisdom needs to be made known. 

Who is going to make God’s multifaceted wisdom known to all of creation

Both visible and invisible.

Who is going to help angels understand God’s wisdom in saving corruptible man

Who is going to tell the angels that God’s Grace has a kind of wisdom that you don’t understand.

Well, the verse says…

That the multifaceted wisdom of God will by made known

To the rulers & authorities (principalities & powers) in the heavenly places

By the church bought with the blood of Jesus

As members of the body of Christ, part of our job is to teach the angels

About the manifold wisdom of God and explain the mystery of salvation.

And every time you come into the house of prayer, you have something to prove

To the angels that are watching. 

Some of the angels will be in your corner and some will be against you.

And they are waiting (this morning) to see your response to the gospel of Christ.

Question:

Are they going to rejoice this morning because…

You are coming full of faith

You believe in your heart that Jesus is the Christ

You are willing to repent and be obedient to God

You are not ashamed to confess Christ to be God’s only Son

You are willing to submit to baptism for the forgiveness of sin

To be added to body of the saved

And teach the angels that are watching about the manifold wisdom of God

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